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J. W. JQHNSON.

I DUPLICATE WHIST TABLE.

1%. 589,089, Patented Aug. 31,1897;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WV. JOHNSON, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT N. PHILIPS, OF SAME PLACE.

DU PLICATE-WHIST TABLE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters lPatentNai 589,089, dated August 31, 1897. Application filed September 16, 1895. Serial No. 562,695. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern. j

Be it known that I, JAMES W. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Duplicate-Whist Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tables designed for use in the playing of duplicate whist.

It has for its object, among others, to provide a simple and cheap yet conveniently-arranged table having provision for holding the various decks of cards, and" for the easy removal of the various portions thereof as distributed throughout the slots, as well as for the rotation of the table-top to changethe position of the hands, when desired. The top of the table is rotatably mounted upon its standard or support and is provided with four sets of slots, each set comprising twenty slots,

and the same are intersect-ed by a groove running substantially at right angles thereto.

The slots in each set are numbered consecutively from 1 to 20, and each set of slots is divided into series of fours and running from one hand to another around the table,

the same as the ordinary dealing of the cards would go. Every fourth slot is designed to be designated by differently-colored num bersas, for instance, red to control the lead at all times. The table top may be held against rotation by a set-screw or equivalent means. Beneath the slots is arranged a plate or support for the cards, arranged at such a distance beneath the table-top as to allow the upper ends of the cards to be just below the level of the surface of the table, where they are out of the way, but from which position they may be readily removed by the insertion of the thumb and finger in the transverse groove. 3

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof willbe particularly pointed out in the appended claims. I

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, forma part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a top plan of my improved table. Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the table-top, and B a central leg or support therefor, which may beof any desired material and configuration, as ornamental as required. Secured to the table-top, upon the under side at the center, is a spider O, from which projects downward a pin D, fitted into a socket, preferably a metallic socket, let into the top of the center post, so that the top may be freely revolved when desired, and the same may be held in the desired position against rotation by suitable means, as a set-screw E. (Seen in Fig. 2.)

The table-top is provided with four sets of slots a, preferably twenty in each set, although a greater'or less number may be provided, and these sets are diametrically oppositely disposed, as seen in Fig. 1. They are preferably arranged upon the arcs of circles and extend through the table-top and are intersected by the transverse or curved grooves a, one for each set of slots, as clearly seen in Fig. 1, which groove is designed to admit the thumb and finger to permit of the ready removal of the cards from their slots. When the cards are inserted in their slots, they are designed to rest upon a bottom or plate F, secured to the under side of the table-top and arranged at such a distance below the same that when the cards are in their slots they rest on this, bottom or plate with their upper edges just below the level of the surface of the table, when they are out of the way and not liable to be disturbed by the movement ofthe table or the hands or arms of the players. The slots are numbered consecutively from l up, in this instance to 20,1 as there are twenty slots in each setand each set of twenty has five designating-numbers, (shown in the drawings as larger than the others to distinguish them,) but in practice it is designed to make these fourth numbersiin red or other distinguishing color. They are numbered as shown, running from one hand to another around the table, just the same as the ordinary dealing of cards would go. These red or designating numbers control the lead at all times, and when a hand is taken out of the slots the player whose number-is red or otherwise distinguished from the others leads.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

\Vhat I claim as new is-- 1. A duplieate-whist table having a top provided with a series of slots arranged in radial relation to each other, with their inner ends in the are of a circle and their outer ends upon a smaller are, with a curved groove intersecting said slots, and a support for the cards beneath the slots at such a distance beneath the same that when cards are placed in the slots their upper edges will fall beneath the upper surface of the top; substantially v as described. 

